Supercurricular advice
For context, I got 999999A*888A in my GCSEs, do Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chem and got ABBB in my summer "AS" exams (I messed up badly lol, have to zero in on it this summer). I intend to study Natural Sciences/Chemistry at university, and (by God's grace) should get predicted at least A*A*AA, so I can apply to Cambridge/Imperial (and not get in lol)
Obviously my main priority is my actual academics and making sure I've got the predicteds I want, but I just wanted to see what I could do extra. I got Gold on C3L6, am reading a primer on a cool phenomena in particle physics (got inspired by some webinars from KCL), have two books (one physics one chem) on the go, did the RCSU Science Challenge (no award lol), am one of the main editors for my science journal and am doing the Leaf maths course. I think they're alright, just not very cohesive, which I think screws me over a little.
I'm not really fussed as to where I get into, but I'd kinda like to get into one of Cambridge/Imperial, so any advice on beefing out my PS (especially with the new structure) would be great. Thanks for any advice anyone may give, and do tell me to quit if I'm in over my head lol.
Reply 2
For context, I got 999999A*888A in my GCSEs, do Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chem and got ABBB in my summer "AS" exams (I messed up badly lol, have to zero in on it this summer). I intend to study Natural Sciences/Chemistry at university, and (by God's grace) should get predicted at least A*A*AA, so I can apply to Cambridge/Imperial (and not get in lol)
Obviously my main priority is my actual academics and making sure I've got the predicteds I want, but I just wanted to see what I could do extra. I got Gold on C3L6, am reading a primer on a cool phenomena in particle physics (got inspired by some webinars from KCL), have two books (one physics one chem) on the go, did the RCSU Science Challenge (no award lol), am one of the main editors for my science journal and am doing the Leaf maths course. I think they're alright, just not very cohesive, which I think screws me over a little.
I'm not really fussed as to where I get into, but I'd kinda like to get into one of Cambridge/Imperial, so any advice on beefing out my PS (especially with the new structure) would be great. Thanks for any advice anyone may give, and do tell me to quit if I'm in over my head lol.
Hi! @re-flux 🙂 (Love the username!!)
Firstly, that is a very impressive list!!! You're already doing so much for your personal statement! I am studying Natural Sciences at UEA so here's what I'd recommend;
•
Depth over breadth - whilst doing lots of activities and showcasing them in your personal statement is great, make sure you are explaining each activity, rather than listing. The academics who are reading your personal statement are looking for how you learnt from the activity. For example, you could talk about the webinars from KCL and then link how this inspires you to read the primer on particle physics. This is good because you're exploring physics beyond the curriculum but then you're actively seeking out relevant books to learn more. Make sure you mention what you like about it specifically. I'd suggest you revisit your activities and see if you can do this and maybe pick the strongest ones/the ones you can talk about the most.
•
Keep a journal for your activities. You might remember all you've learnt now, but you will likely forget most of it when it comes to writing your personal statement/interviews. This just helps to make your life easier!
•
Talk about the skills you have from each activity and link to why is this will help you in natural sciences. A great example here is your scientific journal editing skills. As an undergraduate (or scientist in general) you will write many lab reports so this skill comes in handy.
•
Lastly, make sure you showcase your passion for science! Academics who read your personal statement want to see that you will actually enjoy the course!
Fatma
Natural Sciences student.
Reply 3
For context, I got 999999A*888A in my GCSEs, do Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chem and got ABBB in my summer "AS" exams (I messed up badly lol, have to zero in on it this summer). I intend to study Natural Sciences/Chemistry at university, and (by God's grace) should get predicted at least A*A*AA, so I can apply to Cambridge/Imperial (and not get in lol)
Obviously my main priority is my actual academics and making sure I've got the predicteds I want, but I just wanted to see what I could do extra. I got Gold on C3L6, am reading a primer on a cool phenomena in particle physics (got inspired by some webinars from KCL), have two books (one physics one chem) on the go, did the RCSU Science Challenge (no award lol), am one of the main editors for my science journal and am doing the Leaf maths course. I think they're alright, just not very cohesive, which I think screws me over a little.
I'm not really fussed as to where I get into, but I'd kinda like to get into one of Cambridge/Imperial, so any advice on beefing out my PS (especially with the new structure) would be great. Thanks for any advice anyone may give, and do tell me to quit if I'm in over my head lol.
Not sure about Imperial, but for Cambridge, a prediction of A*A*A* minimum would be beneficial. If you're planning on applying for physical NatSci (which I presume you are), then 97% of achieve at least A*A*A*. Your prediction of A*A*AA doesn't preclue an application, however, Were these 'AS' exams internal, i.e. you didn't actually sit AS examinations formally?
Reply 4
Yeah they're just internal summer exams. I got 88% in Physics (A) 80% in FM (A) 77% in Chem (B) and 71% in Maths (B) - hence the double B in double maths. As upset as I was, I lost majority my marks in FM due to exam stress (reading an a as a 9 when doing matrix multiplication level rubbish), lost majority (if not all) my marks in chem for stupid errors on the basics and got 90% in pure but 40% on applied for maths (we've now finished the entire A Level so it's just a matter of paper mark reflect repeat). In terms of studying, I studied hard but not 'smart,' and now I know better, and am actually more competent I know I can perform. Plus I had/have some mad contextual (got the police phoned on me the day before I went back to school for my FM & applied exam), so am trying to see the brightside of the situation!
As for the 97% stat, it makes me so weary lol, 85% of applicants for NatSci are predicted A*A*A*A* according to unifrog (dubious). All I really want is an interview tbh, and right now the thing holding me back is the grades so that's gonna be my main goal this summer - thank you for the advice!!!
Reply 5
Firstly, that is a very impressive list!!! You're already doing so much for your personal statement! I am studying Natural Sciences at UEA so here's what I'd recommend;
•
Depth over breadth - whilst doing lots of activities and showcasing them in your personal statement is great, make sure you are explaining each activity, rather than listing. The academics who are reading your personal statement are looking for how you learnt from the activity. For example, you could talk about the webinars from KCL and then link how this inspires you to read the primer on particle physics. This is good because you're exploring physics beyond the curriculum but then you're actively seeking out relevant books to learn more. Make sure you mention what you like about it specifically. I'd suggest you revisit your activities and see if you can do this and maybe pick the strongest ones/the ones you can talk about the most.
•
Keep a journal for your activities. You might remember all you've learnt now, but you will likely forget most of it when it comes to writing your personal statement/interviews. This just helps to make your life easier!
•
Talk about the skills you have from each activity and link to why is this will help you in natural sciences. A great example here is your scientific journal editing skills. As an undergraduate (or scientist in general) you will write many lab reports so this skill comes in handy.
•
Lastly, make sure you showcase your passion for science! Academics who read your personal statement want to see that you will actually enjoy the course!
Fatma
Natural Sciences student.
Thank you so much!!! This is a whole knew way to look at things for me
)Reply 6
As for the 97% stat, it makes me so weary lol, 85% of applicants for NatSci are predicted A*A*A*A* according to unifrog (dubious). All I really want is an interview tbh, and right now the thing holding me back is the grades so that's gonna be my main goal this summer - thank you for the advice!!!
I certainly wouldn't rule out being a competitive applicant, and you sound like you've got a good mindset
Reply 7
Thank you
I think it really boils down to this summer, so I have to lock in. You seem to be really knowledgeable on this sorta thing, so if you have any wisdom on good scores for ESAT and/or NatSci at places like UCL and Bath, do feel free to hit me up!I'm also self-studying Further Mechanics 1 & 2 (FM1 this summer, FM2 in school while they teach FM1) so I can sit FM2 as an additional module: we do FM1 and D1 (and FP1 if you REALLY want) at my school, a lot of the people in our FM set are self-studying FS1 one too, I had to tap out. Do you think something like that could be mentioned on my reference/PS? I'm not entirely sure of how/where all the things I want to put on there will go (i.e., which question do i say x on, is it ok to overlap things on UCAS reference and PS etc.) Do you have any thoughts on things like these? I don't wanna come off as a overly pretentious neek/show off, just someone who does what they love and loves what they do
Reply 8
I think it really boils down to this summer, so I have to lock in. You seem to be really knowledgeable on this sorta thing, so if you have any wisdom on good scores for ESAT and/or NatSci at places like UCL and Bath, do feel free to hit me up!I'm also self-studying Further Mechanics 1 & 2 (FM1 this summer, FM2 in school while they teach FM1) so I can sit FM2 as an additional module: we do FM1 and D1 (and FP1 if you REALLY want) at my school, a lot of the people in our FM set are self-studying FS1 one too, I had to tap out. Do you think something like that could be mentioned on my reference/PS? I'm not entirely sure of how/where all the things I want to put on there will go (i.e., which question do i say x on, is it ok to overlap things on UCAS reference and PS etc.) Do you have any thoughts on things like these? I don't wanna come off as a overly pretentious neek/show off, just someone who does what they love and loves what they do
What is the point of doing additional FM modules? Pick the ones that will suit your degree best or those you are best at. Presumably at your school you can chose and get taught any of them?
Reply 9
Nah we can't - we have one FM set of 12 people and EVERYBODY has to do FM1 and D1 - FP1 can also be an taught option for those who want it (I don't). I really enjoy mechanics so I thought why not do FM2, it covers some of the things we do in Physics and goes deep into topics of mechanics I find quite interesting (moments/dynamics)
Reply 10
That's crazy - we allow a free choice of FM modules [state school]. It's not difficult to teach more than one at a time.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Physics supercurriculars for Oxbridge
- Chances of Getting into Oxford PPE?
- CS supercurriculars -- Am I in a poor position?
- Super curriculars
- Lse 2026
- Giving advice for your Supercurriculars!
- Cambridge uni questions
- Supercurriculars in gap year
- Supercurriculars and Extracurriculars as a Year 10 for Sixth-form applications
- Peterhouse Engineering Inteviews - ESAT and TMUA scores
- Is cambridge possible for me??
- Extenuating circumstances
- Economics and data science without data science
- Cambridge university on resits
- Oxford and Cambridge students and graduates
- Supercurriculars advice?
- My Cambridge application Personal Statement
- Supercurriculars for English Literature
- Applying to Oxbridge from the US?
- Oxbridge English supercurriculars
Last reply 3 weeks ago
ESAT results for Imperial PhysicsLast reply 4 months ago
Durham Natural Sciences or Imperial Chemistry w Molecular PhysicsLast reply 9 months ago
mistake picking the University of York over Warwick or Bath for Chemistry?Last reply 9 months ago
Applying for Physics vs Theoretical PhysicsLast reply 9 months ago
Physics degree without Further MathsLast reply 9 months ago
Well paying careers in chemistryLast reply 9 months ago
Natural Sciences without ChemistryLast reply 9 months ago
Future in Astrophysics and BSci vs MSci/MPhysLast reply 9 months ago
Cambridge vs imperial vs non-top US unisLast reply 10 months ago
I did not think my university choices throughLast reply 11 months ago
Year 12 Chemistry Work experienceLast reply 11 months ago
Is a chemistry degree worth it?Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
